Eight men indicted in alleged plot to turn White House UFC event into mass tragedy. A federal grand jury has indicted eight men on conspiracy charges over an alleged plot to carry out a deadly attack at the UFC Freedom 250 event held on the White House grounds, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
On Thursday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Ohio handed down the charges after an initial investigation was launched against Tycen Proper, a 19-year-old from Danville, Ohio, along with four others who were arrested by the FBI during the weekend of the UFC event in Washington D.C.
The indictment alleges that the group planned a coordinated drone and sniper attack targeting not only the high-profile UFC event but also several senior U.S. government officials in attendance. If successful, prosecutors say the attack could have resulted in mass casualties and one of the most significant acts of domestic political violence in recent U.S. history.
According to federal prosecutors, the eight suspects face two major conspiracy charges which are conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to murder federal officials on government property. The charges stem from an extensive FBI investigation that initially led to the arrest of five suspects before three additional individuals were later indicted, bringing the total to eight. Investigators allege the group spent weeks planning the attack, acquiring firearms, drones, tactical equipment, explosives, and conducting combat-style training. Court documents claim the suspects communicated through online platforms, assigning roles and discussing how to execute the attack during the UFC event, which attracted thousands of spectators and numerous high-profile attendees.
Among the alleged intended targets were President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, entrepreneur Elon Musk, and other senior government officials attending the event. Authorities said the alleged plan involved using explosive-laden drones to create panic before gunmen opened fire on people attempting to flee the area. Federal officials emphasized that the alleged attack was thwarted before it could be carried out, crediting cooperation between the FBI, Secret Service, and other law enforcement agencies. Earlier arrests and continued investigation ultimately led to the broader indictment announced this week.
If convicted, the defendants could face severe penalties. The conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists charge carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison, while the conspiracy to murder federal officials charge carries a possible life sentence. The case remains ongoing, and all eight defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Federal prosecutors are expected to continue presenting evidence as the proceedings move forward.
